Hotel Room, 12th Floor: Overview

Hotel Room, 12th Floor: Overview

Overview of ‘Hotel Room, 12th Floor’

The Poem ‘Hotel Room, 12th Floor’

  • ‘Hotel Room, 12th Floor’ is a stimulating piece by Norman MacCaig where he marks out the contrasts between the picturesque, postcard-perfect side of New York and its dark, violent side.
  • The poem takes the perspective of an observer situated, as per the title, in a hotel room on the 12th floor, looking out onto the cityscape of Manhattan.

Setting and Context

  • Set in New York City, MacCaig uses imagery drawn from the city’s vibrant life and diverse culture.
  • MacCaig was inspired to write this poem after a visit to New York.
  • The poet subtly draws a correlation between the contemporary violence of the city and the history of violence in the American Wild West.

Common Themes

  • Themes woven into ‘Hotel Room, 12th Floor’ include violence, isolation, law and order vs chaos, as well as the perception of reality vs the actual reality.
  • MacCaig tackles the contradiction between the surface glamour of the city and its undercurrent of brutality.
  • He engages with the universal theme of urbanisation and its impact on the human psyche.

Understanding MacCaig’s Style

  • MacCaig’s style in this poem involves a varied structure, incorporating both free verse and regular beats - anaphora is used heavily.
  • He skilfully uses imagery and symbolism to convey his perceptions and feelings about the city.
  • MacCaig’s language is rich and descriptive, integrating metaphor, simile and personification to heighten the impact of the portrayal of New York.

Summary

  • ‘Hotel Room, 12th Floor’ ensuingly presents a rather complex vision of urban life, where the glittering façade hides a darker, more chaotic reality.
  • This exploration of contrasts alerts us to the multi-faceted nature of a city like New York, and allows us to ponder on the perhaps universal effects of urbanisation.